Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved process for the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (i.e., “glyphosate”), a salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or an ester of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. The process comprises combining an N-substituted N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine reactant with oxygen in the presence of a noble metal catalyst.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for reforming an alcohol. The process comprises contacting an alcohol with a reforming catalyst comprising copper at the surface of a metal supporting structure, preferably a metal sponge supporting structure comprising nickel. In a certain preferred embodiment, hydrogen produced by the reforming process is used as a fuel source for a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electric power, particularly for driving a vehicle.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for dehydrogenating primary alcohols to make salts of carboxylic acids. The process comprises contacting a catalyst, preferably a metal support coated with copper or silver, with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. The invention further provides for novel copper-containing and silver-containing catalysts which may be used, for example, in the above process as well as processes for making such catalysts.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: 1

Abstract: Novel compounds, N,N′-bis(phosphonomethyl)-N,N′-bis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)urea and N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)urea, suitable for use in preparing N-acyl aminocarboxylic acids that can be readily converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine are provided. The compounds may be formed by the reaction of bis-(phosophonomethyl)urea or urea respectively with carbon monoxide and formaldehyde in the presence of a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor and solvent.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. The process includes a series of reactions comprising a cyanomethylation, a hydrolysis and a dehydrogenation with the hydrolysis and dehydrogenation steps being carried out either sequentially or concurrently. In a particular embodiment, the iminodiacetic acid produced is disodium iminodiacetic acid and the monoethanolamine substrate used is 2-aminoethanol.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for dehydrogenating primary alcohols to make salts of carboxylic acids. The process comprises contacting a catalyst, preferably a metal support coated with copper or silver, with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. The invention further provides for novel copper-containing and silver-containing catalysts which may be used, for example, in the above process as well as processes for making such catalysts.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) coated with copper. The support comprises at least about 10% (by weight) non-copper metal, and the copper-containing coating comprises from about 0.005 to about 0.5 grams of copper (per gram of said metal support). In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) coated with silver. The support comprises at least about 10% (by weight) non-silver metal, and the silver-containing coating comprises from about 0.005 to about 0.5 grams of copper (per gram of said metal support). In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises at least about 15% (by weight) non-copper metal, and at least about 10% (by weight) copper.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine compound having the following formula: 1

Abstract: Novel compounds, N,N′-bis(phosphonomethyl)-N,N′-bis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)urea and N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)urea, suitable for use in preparing N-acyl aminocarboxylic acids that can be readily converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine are provided. The compounds may be formed by the reaction of bis-(phosophonomethyl)urea or urea respectively with carbon monoxide and formaldehyde in the presence of a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor and solvent.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved process for the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (i.e., “glyphosate”), a salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or an ester of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. The process comprises combining an N-substituted N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine reactant with oxygen in the presence of a noble metal catalyst.

Abstract: Novel compounds, N,N′-bis(phosphonomethyl)-N,N′-bis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)urea and N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(hydroxycarbonylmethyl)urea, suitable for use in preparing N-acyl aminocarboxylic acids that can be readily converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine are provided. The compounds may be formed by the reaction of bis-(phosophonomethyl)urea or urea respectively with carbon monoxide and formaldehyde in the presence of a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor and solvent.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved process for the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (i.e., “glyphosate”), a salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or an ester of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. The process comprises combining an N-substituted N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine reactant with oxygen in the presence of a noble metal catalyst. The N-substituted N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine reactant has formula (V): wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, —PO3R12R131, —SO3R14, —NO2, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl other than —CO2R15; and R7, R8, R9, R12, R13, R14, and R15 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, and an agronomically acceptable cation.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an N-acyl amino carboxylic acid by means of a carboxymethylation reaction. In this reaction, a reaction mixture is formed which contains a base pair, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and an aldehyde with the base pair comprising a carbamoyl compound and a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor. In a preferred embodiment, the carbamoyl compound and aldehyde are selected to yield an N-acyl amino carboxylic acid which is readily converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or a salt or ester thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to process for making a composition having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, or an agronomically acceptable cation. The process comprises contacting a solution with a noble metal catalyst and introducing oxygen into the solution. The solution contains an N-substituted glyphosate having the formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, halogen, --PO.sub.3 H.sub.2, --SO.sub.3 H, --NO.sub.2, or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl other than --CO.sub.2 H. R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are as defined for formula (I).This invention also relates to an oxidation catalyst comprising a noble metal having a hydrophobic electroactive molecular species adsorbed thereon.